Washington has more talent this season, but can it defeat its playoff demons?

Bill Smith/NHLI/Getty ImagesTroy Brouwer's ability to play physical hockey and draw penalties will help the Caps.

Starting with the Philadelphia Flyers' bold trades just before the NHL draft, the league's landscape has undergone some significant changes this offseason. For the next five weeks, Insider contributor Neil Greenberg will examine, in detail, five of the biggest summer renovators -- the San Jose Sharks, the Minnesota Wild, the Los Angeles Kings, the Washington Capitals and the Flyers -- to see what we can expect from their remodeled rosters. The series continues with a look at the Capitals.

"We have done all that we said we would do this offseason. And perhaps even more," said Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, referring to the changes intended to strengthen a roster that has been good enough to finish first in the Eastern Conference the past two seasons but has fallen short in the playoffs each time.

The Capitals added depth at forward and on defense by trading for Troy Brouwer and signing free agents Joel Ward, Roman Hamrlik and Jeff Halpern, the Capitals' 12th team captain in franchise history. Washington also brought in the veteran goaltender Vokoun on a $1.5 million, one-year bargain-basement deal.

"All the holes are filled," general manager George McPhee said. "I think we have a good, strong team."

McPhee has gotten rave reviews for assembling what might be the best supporting roster the team has had in years, but is it enough for this club to make the leap from pretender to legitimate Cup contender?

To see how the Caps' acquisitions will benefit the team in 2011-12, you must be an ESPN Insider.